Question Bank

Subject: Materials Science and Engineering

Unit 1
Q1. Describe the difference in atomic/molecular structure between crystalline and
noncrystalline materials.

Q2. Draw unit cells for face-centered cubic, bodycentered cubic, and hexagonal close-packed
crystal structures.

Q3. Derive the relationships between unit cell edge length and atomic radius for face-centered
cubic and BCC.

Q4. Distinguish between single crystals and polycrystalline materials.

Q5. Define isotropy and anisotropy with respect to material properties.

Q6. Within a cubic unit cell, sketch the following directions:

(020)
(101)



7.Determine the Miller indices for the planes shown in the given diagram of unit cell:

8.Write short notes on Polymorphism and Allotropy.

9.Explain the following:
 APF
 Co-ordination No.
 Effective no of atoms
 Burger Vector
 CRSS
10. Explain the following crystal Imperfections:
 Vacancies
 Impurities
 Frankel Defect
 Edge Dislocation
 Surface Defects
 Unit 2
1. Describe how plastic deformation occurs by the motion of edge and screw dislocations in
response to applied shear stresses.
2. Describe how plastic deformation occurs by the motion of edge and screw dislocations in
response to applied shear stresses.
3.Define slip system and cite one example.
4.Describe how the grain structure of a polycrystalline metal is altered when it is plastically
deformed.
5. Explain how grain boundaries impede dislocation motion and why a metal having small grains
is stronger than one having large grains.
6.What is preferred orientation? Explain its effects on the properties of a material.
7. Describe and explain the phenomenon of strain hardening (or cold working) in terms of
dislocations and strain field interactions.
8. Describe recrystallization in terms of both the alteration of microstructure and mechanical
characteristics of the material.
9.Describe the phenomenon of grain growth from both macroscopic and atomic perspectives.
10. Explain Twinning in detail with reference to deformation of materials. Draw proper figure
and give one example.

Unit 3
1. Cite the general mechanical characteristics for each of the following micro constituents:
Pearlite, Spheroidite, Bainite, and Martensite.
2. Draw and Explain Equilibrium diagram of binary system having complete mutual solubility in
liquid state and partial solubility in solid state.
3.Explain the following:
Gibbs Phase Rule
Hume Rothery’s Rules
4.Explain Nuclear Formation and Crystal Growth.
5.Draw the Iron Carbon equilibrium diagram with detailed explanation of various phase
transformations.
6.Explain the austenite phase of Fe-C diagram, its properties and various possible
transformations.
7.Write the various differences in Pearlite and Ferrite.
8.How is austenite transformed into martensite? Explain properties of Martensite and its crystal
structure.
9.Draw the TTT Curve of steel and explain it in detail. What are S-Curves?
10. Write short notes on:
Eutectic reactions
Peritectic reactions
Eutectoid reactions
Unit 4
1.Explain Annealing, its principle and applications with example.
2.What is meant by Normalizing? How is it done? What are its effects on the properties of Steel?
3.Write short notes on:
Hardening
Quenching
Tempering

4.Explain Recovery, Re-crystallization and Grain Growth with proper figure.

5.What is Hardenability? Explain the variables affecting it and any one method to determine
hardenability.
6.What do you mean by Overheated or Burnt Steel? What are its causes and remedies?
7.Write down the various principles involved in heat treatment of plain carbon steels and alloy
steels.
8. What is chemical heat treatment of steel? Write down its advantages and disadvantages over
traditional methods of heat treatment.
9.Explain Carburizing with details of various methods of carburizing (pack, liquid and gas
carburizing)
10. Write short notes on:
Nitriding
Cyaniding
Carbo-nitriding
 Unit 5
1. What is an Alloy? Why are alloying elements added to steel? How does alloying change the
crystal structure of steel?
2.Explain the effects of adding the following alloying materials to steel:
Si
Mn
Cr
Co
W
Ti
3.What are various structural classes of steels and their properties?
4.What are the various ways to classify steels?
5.What is meant by BIS? Write down the various BIS standards for Steels.
6.Explain the various fibre reinforced plastic composites, their properties and applications.
7.Explain any two basic composite manufacturing methods with proper figures.
8.Write short notes on:
Polymer-Matrix Composites
Metal-Matrix Composites
Ceramic-Matrix Composites
Carbon-Carbon Composites
9.Write down the various applications of composite materials (min. 7).
10. Cite the difference in strengthening mechanism for large-particle and dispersion-strengthened
particle-reinforced composites.